On Media

CNN's Martin explains Beckham tweet

By DYLAN BYERS

02/06/2012 11:27 AM EST

A spokesperson with CNN forwards the following statement from political contributor Roland Martin, made via Twitter, explaining the tweet that put him in hot water with GLAAD, the Gay Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation:

Fam, let me address the issue that some in the LGBT community have raised regarding some of my Super Bowl tweets yesterday. I made several cracks about soccer as I do all the time. I was not referring to sexuality directly or indirectly regarding the David Beckham ad, and I'm sorry folks took it otherwise. It was meant to be a deliberately over the top and sarcastic crack about soccer; I do not advocate violence of any kind against anyone gay, or not. As anyone who follows me on Twitter knows, anytime soccer comes up during football season it's another chance for me to take a playful shot at soccer, nothing more.

After H&M's Super Bowl spot, which featured an almost-naked David Beckham, Martin tweeted, "If a dude at your Super Bowl party is hyped about David Beckham's H&M underwear ad, smack the ish out of him!"

GLAAD replied, "@rolandsmartin Advocates of gay bashing have no place at @CNN #SuperBowl #LGBT", and ultimately issued a statement demanding Martin's removal from CNN, citing "a history of anti-LGBT views" and an item from 2006 in which he referred to homosexuality as "sinful behavior."

I asked the CNN spokesperson if the network cared to comment on the matter, or on GLAAD's call for Martin's withdrawal. Updates here if and when I hear back.